| November 2023 Dear Friend, On the morning of October 17, I was honored to join with close to 100 old and new friends of Pollyanna to recognize our 8th anniversary. In other circumstances, I would use the word “celebrate.” However, given the tragedy in the Middle East, the mood of the gathering was appropriately thoughtful and respectful. It was wonderful to gather during a challenging time. We continue to hold in our hearts all who are in harm’s way. We are proud of the myriad ways we have created connection, engagement, and inclusion in a broad array of communities. Since 2015, 20,000 people have attended a Pollyanna Conference. Our K-12 Racial Literacy Curriculum has been downloaded over 12,000 times. We have launched Pollyanna Teen Council. We have conducted thousands of workshops for thousands of educators, students, parents, and trustees to create positive change in their communities. | |
| In October, we: - Launched a 9-part Workshop Series for school communities with Jan Abernathy’s Beyond the Culture Wars: Seeking Consensus on DEIB Efforts through Effective Communications. If you didn’t sign up, you still can and watch the recording.
- Hosted How to Prioritize our Mental Health with Dr. Linda Anderson and the Pollyanna Teen Council.
- Held our 7th annual Multi-School Conference at Harvard-Westlake in LA and our first-ever Multi-School Conference at San Francisco Friends School.
- Conducted workshops for: Association for the Advancement of International Education, British International School, Citizens of the World Charter School, Cornelia Connelly Center, Crystal Springs Upland School, and Drew School.
And, this month, we will: - Continue the 9-part workshop series on November 9 with Ivy Alphonse-Crean’s workshop on Wellness, Social Emotional Learning, and DEI in the Classroom
- Hold our 8th annual Multi-School Conference at the Far Brook School in New Jersey.
- Begin or continue projects with the Association for the Advancement of International Education, Center for Comprehensive Health Plans, City and Country School, Dalton School, Film at Lincoln Center, Greenwood College School, Hockessin Montessori School, Mayfield Senior School, New City School, and UCLA Lab School.
- Enthusiastically be a sponsor at the NAIS People of Color Conference in St. Louis!
Please email us if you would like to work together or if you would consider making a gift to support our work. Warmly, | |
 | | 7 Pollyanna Teen Council Meet-ups Our first meet-up with Dr Linda Anderson, How to Prioritize Your Mental Health was an important conversation at this time. Mark down December when we address Is AI Inherently Biased? Please take a look at the incredible list of topics and guests this year. Share with the teens in your life and have them sign up. | | | |  | | Over 50 Schools Have Signed Up Already... | | |  | | From LA to SF, October was Pollyanna Month Harvard-Westlake hosted its 7th Multi-School Conference focused on Addressing Hate with Intention and San Francisco Friends School hosted its first Multi-School Conference on Creating a Culture of Belonging. Whether it's a Multi-School, Intra-School or Leadership Conference, each offers a discussion platform, learning opportunities, and ways to connect and build community. It's not too late to plan a spring 2024 conference and we are booking conferences for school year 2024-25! | | | |  | Supporting Inclusive Communities We believe strong school and work communities are built upon a foundation of practices that promote inclusion and belonging for all members across all constituencies. What do you need to feel more included? | | | |
